August 24, 2014

Liberia: Philippines withdraws UN troops over Ebola concerns

The Philippines will repatriate over 100 UN troops serving in Liberia "as soon as possible." The decision comes after Liberia confirmed all regions have now been hit by the Ebola virus.

The Philippines defense department confirmed on Saturday that it will pull out more than 400 troops from UN peace-keeping missions in the Golan Heights and Liberia amid concerns over the Ebola virus and fears for their safety.

In a statement, the department said the 115-member contingent in Liberia will be "repatriated as soon as possible" due to the increasing health risk from the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

"The Philippines prioritizes the safety and security of its troops, but remains committed to the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations," the statement added.

The decision comes after Liberia confirmed on Friday that all regions have now been hit by the Ebola virus, where 624 people have already died due to the disease. In neighbouring Guinea, 406 have died and 392 in Sierra Leone.

Two people have now tested positive in the province of Sinoe - Liberia's last Ebola-free region.

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The Philippines will repatriate over 100 UN troops serving in Liberia "as soon as possible." The decision comes after Liberia confirmed all regions have now been hit by the Ebola virus.

The Philippines defense department confirmed on Saturday that it will pull out more than 400 troops from UN peace-keeping missions in the Golan Heights and Liberia amid concerns over the Ebola virus and fears for their safety.

In a statement, the department said the 115-member contingent in Liberia will be "repatriated as soon as possible" due to the increasing health risk from the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

"The Philippines prioritizes the safety and security of its troops, but remains committed to the peacekeeping missions of the United Nations," the statement added.

The decision comes after Liberia confirmed on Friday that all regions have now been hit by the Ebola virus, where 624 people have already died due to the disease. In neighbouring Guinea, 406 have died and 392 in Sierra Leone.

Two people have now tested positive in the province of Sinoe - Liberia's last Ebola-free region.